Broadcasters’ news bulletin (July 1932-Mar 1933)

BETTER RECEPTION REPORTED (Continued) "The records show that many of the monitors drifted in frequency after hav¬ ing once "been calibrated and, therefore, a regular routine check of the accuracy or calibration of the monitor is necessary to insure operation within the re¬ quired limits. In approving the frequency monitors, the Commission realized that after installation many monitors might drift and it is expected that the li¬ censees of all broadcast stations will provide for regular checks of the monitor. There are several ways in which this may be done. "The simplest v;ay is to arrange a check of the frequency of the station with some commercial standard and set the frequency exactly by the monitor and then have the commercial standard check. This gives an accurate indication of the calibration. "Another and desirable way is to provide equipment so that the calibration may be made from the standard signals transmitted by W'iTV of the Bureau of Stand¬ ards at Washington, D. C. These signals are transmitted on regular schedule for this purpose. "Heretofore the Comnission has permitted its monitoring stations to check for the licensees of broadcast stations, hov/ever, due to the limited appro'o:; ia-tion and personnel it is necessary to limit this service and monitoring sta.nons will not be permitted to make coimnercial checks for licensees of broadcast sec¬ tions except under representation that it is impossible for such stations to obta.in a. check with any other source. Under such circumstances the Commission will permit its monitoring stations to make the checks. "It is considered that this check should be made once a week or two weeks until it is definitely determined that there is no drift in the frequency of the monitor, and after such determination the checks of the calibration of the fre¬ quency should be made at less frequent intervals. "There is a pitfall that several deviators have fallen into and tha.t is the monitor becomes defective due to such causes as the heater tube failing or fre¬ quency drifting due to other causes and the operator changes frequency of station to agree with the monitor when so far as may be determined there is nothing to indica.te that the station is wrong and the monitor right. Under all such cir¬ cumstances, the suspicion of the operator should immediately be aroused and he should check with an external source to determine v/hich is incorrect, the sta¬ tion monitor or the transmitting equipment before blindly depending upon the monitor's accuracy. This has given rise to many deviations and the Commission cannot continue to accept such expla,nations unless due precaution is taken to determine that the monitor has not drifted. "Also, it appears tha.t but few of the stations deviating to a major extent are using the auxiliary aural checks as specified in the Commission's letters announcing approved frequency monitors and as a result such stations have not been able to make satisfactory explanations. This condition cannot continue without further action being taken by the Commission. These Rules have been in effect since June 22, 1932, and heretofore the Commission has been lenient on deviators due to the fact that it has considered that a certarin length of time was necessary for the operators to become familiar with the routine of operation, but this time is ra.pidly drawing to a close.